oxytocin

[ ok-si-toh-suhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Biochemistry. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, that stimulates contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterus.
Pharmacology. a commercial form of this substance, obtained from beef and hog pituitary glands or especially by synthesis, and used chiefly in obstetrics to induce labor and to control postnatal hemorrhage.

oxytocin

/ ˌɒksɪˈtəʊsɪn /

a polypeptide hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, that stimulates contractions of the uterus or oviduct and ejection of milk in mammals; alphahypophame: used therapeutically for aiding childbirth. Formula: C 43 H 68 N 12 O 12 S 2 Compare vasopressin

oxytocin

/ ŏk′sĭ-tō′sĭn /

A polypeptide hormone secreted by the posterior portion of the pituitary gland. Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of smooth muscle of the uterus during childbirth and facilitates ejection of milk from the mammary glands.

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First recorded in 1925–30; oxytoc(ic) + -in ²

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People who sniff oxytocin before they play together are more in sync rhythmically.

When you’re moved by music, we see levels of the attachment-hormone oxytocin increase.

The two pregnancy-related hormones, prolactin and oxytocin, are responsible for milk production.

Prolactin induces the luminal cells to make milk while oxytocin makes the myoepithelial cells contract.

When you lock eyes with a dog or when you touch a dog, there are studies looking at the fact that your oxytocin levels go up.

When fathers hold and play with their children, oxytocin and prolactin kick in, priming them for bonding.

Such effects can be traced, at least in part, to the way neglect affects signaling neurochemicals, like the hormone oxytocin.

I think the most surprising thing to me was the oxytocin story.

And the people with higher levels of oxytocin were more generous in the amounts they chose to return to the original investor.

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